The Guide R.K.Narayan is one of the most celebrated of Indian authors. His works include books like the swami and friends, the schoolmaster and under the banyan tree. Though colloquial use of English language has been made, Narayan ensures that the reader is engaged and engrossed in his plots and characters. His book, the guide, is no exception. I have found the book to be an enjoyable read that grows on the reader, and is hard to forget. Matching the previous works of Narayan, the guide is easy to read but challenging to understand in terms of the plot and characters; both of which are complete and easily identifiable. The guide is especially a good read and highly pleasurable because of the style in which it is written, the character of Raju that has developed throughout the book and the identification of the reader with the story-line and the character, which is simple yet thought-provoking. Narayan is a celebrated Indian author whose books are enjoyed not only in the subcontinent but also in the west. Though he used colloquial English (Mathur, p. 86), the presentation of the plot and the story, as well as the building of the characters in his books is admirable and commendable. The guide is no different. Taken from ordinary life instances and incidents (Bhatnagar, p. 45), and drawn from routine characters, the book is simple in its plot, yet challenging to understand because the characters identify with every reader. The book is a story of man who cons, who is greedy and jealous, who earns through deceive, who wants to be rich and famous, who is adulterous and adventurous. This man is found, in part if not completely, in all the readers and people. The ability of Narayan to produce a character that is so absolute and realist... ... middle of paper ... ...ill allow the reader too transgress into his own being, as well as those around him. The book is likeable for its comical presentations to deliver more mature and serious messages. Similarly Raju’s character, the book remains forever in the readers’ heart, allowing him thoughts for personal redemption and repentance, and for personal development as well. Works Cited Bhatnagar, M.K. New Insights into the Novels of R.K. Narayan. Atlantic Publishers and Distributors: 2008 Khatri.C.L. R.K. Narayan: Reflections and Re-Evaluation. Sarup & Sons: 2006 Mathur, O.P. The Modern Indian English Fiction. Shakti-Malik Abhinav Publications: 1993 Prasad, A.N. Critical Response To R.K. Narayan. Sarup & Sons: 2003 Sen, K. Critical Essays On R.K. Narayan's The Guide: With An Introduction To Narayan’s The Guide. Orient Longman Private Limited: 2004
This book was brilliant. There were moments that made me laugh, moments that made me tremble in my chair, moments that made me cry, moments that melted my heart, and moments that made me want to rip my hair out at the roots. This book has it all, and it delivers it through a cold but much needed message.
What is the message the author is trying to convey? How does (s)he convey this to the reader?
“Siddhartha.” Novels for Students. Ed. Marie Rose Napierkowski and Deborah A. Stanley. Vol. 6. Detroit: Gale, 1999. 255-66. Print.
Siddhartha and The Stranger have been popular books over the years because of the profound message each introduces and the styles in which they are written. Siddhartha and Meursault illustrate how differences in characterization can influence individual decisions and the lives of loved ones. Their opposing beliefs and perspectives in life demonstrate the undeniable power of personal opinion.
People “find themselves” in many different ways. College, or moving out is one way our culture takes the next step into adulthood. We usually use this time to find our self and create the life we want. Some people have taken that to the next step by walking a thousand miles to find themselves or even moving to a different country to seclude themselves for a while. I have not found myself. I am going to college in hopes that I find myself one day. Being in the dark and confused can be scary. I can relate to Siddhartha in this way. He felt the need to leave his father, rebel against him, to find his purpose in life.
The novel Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse is a timeless story about one man’s journey of finding peace in his way of life and thoughts. Siddharta is a young Brahmin’s son, who is dissatisfied with his worship and in turn sets out to find the lifestyle that is right for him. Siddhartha is faced with many external, physical conflicts, yet that is not the most prominent type of conflict in the story. Hesse builds excitement and suspense through Siddhartha’s internal journey to create an emotional response usually associated with external conflict.
...t the novel imparts a systematic, methodical tone to Siddhartha, and together with the consciously created form unifies the experiences of Siddhartha, permitting a feeling of closure and meditation on the thoughts and ideas presented therein. There is certainly a unique rhythm to Siddhartha which is skillfully communicated both consciously and subconsciously. One can appreciate the conscious craftmanship" of the novel's structure and style, while at the same time allowing the rhythm, feelings, and experiences to sift into one's mind on a deeper, more subconscious level.
The novel “Deep River” by Shusaku Endo, is basically about a spiritual journey to India by
Readers have been fascinated with Hermann Hesse’s Siddhartha for decades. Written in 1951, Hesse’s most famous novel provides the reader with a work of literature that, “presents a remarkable exploration of the deepest philosophical and spiritual dimensions of human existence” (Bennett n.p). Siddhartha takes place in India while the Buddha has first began his teachings. The book follows the life of a man by the name of Siddhartha, on his journey to reach enlightenment. The main theme in Siddhartha is reaching enlightenment without the guidance of a teacher or mentor. Siddhartha believes that he must learn from himself, and the guidance of another teacher will only distort his goals of reaching enlightenment. Siddhartha says that he must, “learn from myself, be a pupil of myself: I shall get to know, myself, the mystery of Siddhartha” (Hesse 36). On Siddhartha’s journey to reach Nirvana, the highest level of peace in the Buddhist culture, he undergoes three stages all of which are critical in helping Siddhartha find peace within himself.
Hiltebeitel, Alf. Rethinking the Mahābhārata: A Reader's Guide to the Education of the Dharma King. Chicago: University of Chicago, 2001. Print.
Narayan, R.K. The Ramayana: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic. New York, NY: Penguin, 1977. Print.
Every young child is told to always tell the truth and that being honest is good. However, some information can create much chaos and is sometimes better unspoken. R.K. Narayan demonstrates the importance this of balance in his story “Like The Sun.” By using dramatic irony, figurative language, and situational irony, Narayan shows that the truth can have consequences.
Lately Indian novelist has shifted from rural to metro India, which is the living soul of the country. The problems of urbanization and the problems faced by the people of metro India find a powerful expression in Indian English fiction.
Allen, Charles. Kipling Sahib: India and the Making of Rudyard Kipling. New York: Pegasus Books, 2009. Print.
Naipaul, V.S., India: A Wounded Civilization. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books, 1983. All subsequent reference with page numbers are from this edition.